Ink Formulation for Jet Recording via Surface Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality and continuous printing properties at high speeds due to ink offsetting, poor dot formation, and issues with surface tension affecting print density and satellite formation.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ink formulation containing a water-based solution with a pigment dispersion, a non-ionic water-soluble acrylic resin, and a specific surfactant represented by general formulas (I), (II), or (III), which includes an alkane diol as a penetrant and a surfactant to improve ink penetration and surface tension control, ensuring optimal print quality and continuous discharge properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the quantity of ink discharged per pixel is reduced to suppress offsetting, then offsetting is suppressed, but image density becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific compounds (ethylene oxide/propylene oxide compounds, acetylene glycol, non-ionic polymers) to modify the ink's penetration characteristics and surface tension, enabling sufficient penetration at reduced discharge quantities while maintaining image density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances (penetrants and surfactants) that mediate between the ink and recording medium, facilitating enhanced penetration and preventing offsetting without requiring increased ink discharge quantity
2Manufacturing precision
If compounds are added to improve ink penetration into recording medium, then penetration is improved, but continuous discharge properties deteriorate due to increased surface tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully adjusts the concentration parameters of penetration promoters and surfactants to achieve optimal balance, and introduces non-ionic polymers to control surface tension, enabling both good penetration and continuous discharge properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining multiple components (penetrants, surfactants, non-ionic polymers, pigments) where each component contributes specific functions, achieving synergistic effects that satisfy both penetration and continuous discharge requirements
3Manufacturing precision
If non-ionic polymers like poly(vinyl alcohol) or polyvinylpyrrolidone are used to improve penetration, then penetration is improved, but surface tension increases causing poor continuous discharge properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using non-ionic polymers with controlled molecular weights (2000-10000) and adjusts their concentration parameters to achieve the desired balance between penetration enhancement and surface tension control, avoiding the use of polymers that cause excessive surface tension increase
4Productivity
If printing speed is increased by shortening drive timing or using line heads, then printing speed is improved, but continuous printing properties and print quality deteriorate due to jetting twisting and satellite formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the ink including surface tension, viscosity, and penetration characteristics to enable stable droplet formation and discharge even at high printing speeds and reduced drive timings, preventing jetting twisting and satellites
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ink formulation effectively suppresses ink offsetting, achieves desired image density, and maintains continuous discharge properties at high temperatures, enhancing print quality and reducing satellite formation.
Implementation Method 1
the non-ionic water-soluble acrylic resin has an average molecular weight of 3000 to 8000 and has a hydrophobic segment, and when the non-ionic water-soluble acrylic resin is added at a quantity of 0.1 mass % relative to 100 mass % of water, the surface tension of the water is 29 to 33 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
the penetrant contains an alkane diol having 8 or 9 carbon atoms, the content of the alkane diol is 0.3 to 1.0 mass % relative to the total mass of the ink
Implementation Method 3
a surfactant of a compound represented by general formula (I), (II) or (III)... the content of the surfactant is 0.05 to 0.5 mass % relative to the total mass of the ink
Data Source
AI summary
An ink for an ink jet recording apparatus, is provided, wherein the ink contains prescribed quantities of each of water, a pigment dispersion, a penetrant, a non-ionic water-soluble acrylic resin having prescribed characteristics, and a surfactant of a compound represented by general formula (I), (II) or (III).